Undo One Contract Per Team

[Crazysilver03]

I was working on this idea before the trade deadline but then got busy with life, so I am just going to post this before it is completed. What do fellow Hangouter's think?

I was intrigued by the following two articles from FanGraphs:

Negative Trade Value #10-6 and Negative Trade Value #5-1

Using Cots Baseball Contracts, go through each team and decide/discuss which deal you would want to get rid of. Note: It should be a current deal.

Angels: Gary Matthews Jr: This one is pretty easy. Matthews is owed a combined $21.5M over the course of 2010 and 2011, mind you, he is currently playing at AAA for the Reds. Dishonorable Mention: Scott Kazmir

Astros: Carlos Lee: Lee put up an OPS+ of 118 last season, but has stumbled all the way to 78 this season. He will make $55M in 2010-2012. Dishonorable Mention: Roy Oswalt and Lance Berkman

Athletics: Eric Chavez: This pick came down to Chavez vs. Ellis, but luckily, both contracts are up this year for the Athletics. Unfortunately, Chavez has played to the tune of a 65 OPS+ this season, and hasn't even played in 162 games spanning the last four seasons, in which he has collected $43M from Oakland. Dishonorable Mention: Mark Ellis, Willy Taveras

Blue Jays: Vernon Wells: One of the easiest picks. Wells is an albatross the BJs will never be able to get rid of, while they pay him $124M for the following five seasons. Dishonorable Mention: BJ Ryan

Braves: Derek Lowe: After signing a 4/$60M deal starting in 2009, Lowe has pitched to an ERA+ of 88 and 92 in his first two seasons. The Braves are stuck with Lowe for another two seasons.

Brewers: Randy Wolf: The Brewers signed him to a three year deal with an option this past off-season and he has pitched himself into the bullpen. For all of his hardwork, Wolf is earning a nice $29.75M. Dishonorable Mention: Trevor Hoffman, David Riske, Jeff Suppan, Bill Hall

Cardinals: Kyle Lohse: The Cardinals thought they were beating everyone in the race by signing Lohse to an extension before he hit free agency after the 2008 season, but unfortunately the market for pitchers collapsed prior to 2009 and the Cardinals were left with a $41M contract for a player that has produced ERA+s of 87 and 69 in the first two years of the deal.

Cubs: Jim Hendry: Hendry handed Alfonso Soriano an 8/$136M deal (~$84M remaining over 4.5 seasons), Carlos Zambrano a 5/$91.5M extension (~$44M remaining over 2.5 seasons), Kosuke Fukudome a 4/$48M deal (~$20M remaining through the end of 2011 [career OPS+ of 96]), and Milton Bradley to a 3/$30M deal (and traded to Seattle after one season).

Diamondbacks: Brandon Webb: As far as bad contracts go, this isn’t too bad, but the Diamondbacks are out $15M for 2009 and 2010, waiting to see if Webb will pitch again in 2010. Though really, what he is getting paid now more than makes up for how little he made during his stellar years of 2006-2008.

Dodgers: Hiroki Kuroda: Kuroda is finishing up a three year contract that paid him close to $35.3M, while posting a career ERA+ of 108. Dishonorable Mention: George Sherrill

Giants

Indians

Mariners

Marlins

Mets

Nationals

Orioles

Padres

Phillies

Pirates

Rangers

Rays

Reds

Red Sox

Rockies

Royals

Tigers

Twins

White Sox

Yankees

Conclusions:

1) Surprised to see the Brewers burned by so many large contracts. Hopefully they don't make another mistake with Prince Fielder.

2) The Athletics and Orioles really don't have a bad contract on the books, and besides Wells, neither does Toronto.

[incubus]

More please.

I did enjoy reading this, a very novel idea for a write-up.

I guess, since you said it wasn't finished, that you plan on doing all the clubs?

[Crazysilver03]

More please.

I did enjoy reading this, a very novel idea for a write-up.

I guess, since you said it wasn't finished, that you plan on doing all the clubs?

I would like to continue it as time allows, but there isn't too much right now. I posted this because I wanted to start a discussion and have other Hangouters participate in this is so called exercise.

[Tony-OH]

Jim Hendry's contracts were ridiculous. It's guys like this that put the market out of control.

[Crazysilver03]

I will do a little bit as time allows.

Padres: Hairston Brothers: You know you are having a good season when your worst contracts belong to two players making less than a combined $5M. Jerry was signed as a free agent, signing for $2.15M, and has posted a measly .672 OPS while playing a passable SS, while his brother is earning an extra $.3M and the Padres are getting an extra .021 in OPS for their money. Dishonorable Mention: Miguel Tejada

Pirates: Ryan Doumit: The Pirates picked up an almost equally horrible contract in Chris Snyder, but at least he stays healthy and remains on the field. Doumit will be moved out from behind catcher upon his return and will play some 1B and OF. He is making $3.55M this season and that jumps up to $5.1M in 2011, at which point Pitt has the the option of exercising options for 2012 and 2013 at a combined $15.5M, or opt to pay him an $.5M buyout. Dishonorable Mention: Chris Snyder

Rays: Kelly Shoppach: Fortunately for the Rays, their hired priced players in Pena, Soriano, and Crawford are all worth their contracts and at least will expire after the season, but unfortunately for the Rays, they signed the non-tendered catcher to a 2 year $5.5M deal this past off-season, and he has responded with a .186 BA and a .580 OPS. Dishonorable Mention: Dionner Navarro

Mariners: Chone Figgins: The Mariners signed the 3B to a 4 year, $36M deal this past off-season, deciding to move him to 2B to begin the season, who later voiced his dissatisfaction in a heated argument with ex-manager Don Wakamatsu. Honorable Mention: Ken Griffey and Milton Bradley.

[GeorgiaBird]

Rays: Kelly Shoppach: Fortunately for the Rays, their hired priced players in Pena, Soriano, and Crawford are all worth their contracts and at least will expire after the season, but unfortunately for the Rays, they signed the non-tendered catcher to a 2 year $5.5M deal this past off-season, and he has responded with a .186 BA and a .580 OPS. Dishonorable Mention: Dionner Navarro

I would nominate Pat the Bat here too. He might not be on their roster anymore, but they are still paying his salary and it impacted their deadline dealings.

[Jurczak]

I'll throw out Todd Helton for the Rockies. They love him out here, but he's made $16.6 million in 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009 and put up HR totals of 15 (145 games), 17 (154 games), 7 (83 games) and 15 (151 games). He's making $17.7 million this year and was hurt for a while and has an OPS+ of 74. He's scheduled to make $19.1 million next year.

[Crazysilver03]

I'll throw out Todd Helton for the Rockies. They love him out here, but he's made $16.6 million in 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009 and put up HR totals of 15 (145 games), 17 (154 games), 7 (83 games) and 15 (151 games). He's making $17.7 million this year and was hurt for a while and has an OPS+ of 74. He's scheduled to make $19.1 million next year.

I thought he restructured his contract?

[Jurczak]

I thought he restructured his contract?

He did. In 2012 and 2013 he'll make $5 million. The rest is being deferred with interest from 2014-2023. According to his salaries on b-r at least.

But they've basically paid $100 million over 7 years for a slap hitting first baseman with occasional power.

[Crazysilver03]

For both the Yankees and Rangers, the worst contract would have to go to Alex Rodriguez.

Alex Rodriguez 3b

10 years/$275M (2008-17)

10 years/$275M (2008-17)

re-signed by Yankees as a free agent 12/13/07

$10M signing bonus ($2M paid upon approval, $1M paid each Jan. 15, 2009-2013, $3M paid Jan. 15, 2014)

08:$27M, 09:$32M, 10:$32M, 11:$31M, 12:$29M, 13:$28M, 14:$25M, 15:$21M, 16:$20M, 17:$20M

$30M marketing agreement based on home run milestones ($6M each for reaching 660, 714, 755 and tying and breaking major league HR record)

no-trade protection

perks: may purchase 4 best available season tickets for 2008, 4 Legends Suite or comparable season tickets for 2009-17

Texas obligated to fund $9M as part of deferred compensation provision in previous contract (to be paid with interest in $3M increments in 2008, 2009 & 2010)

10 years/$252M (2001-10)

signed by Texas as free agent 12/00 (opted out 10/29/07)

$10M signing bonus (paid between 12/00 & 3/05)

salaries: 01-04:$21M/year, 05-06:$25M/year, 07-10:$27M/year

(with bonuses, Rodriguez earned $185.45M from 2001 to 2007)

no-trade clause

Rodriguez may void after 2007 season (10-day window after WS)

Rodriguez may void after 2008 or 2009 unless club increases 2009-10 salary by $5M/year or $1M more than highest-paid MLB position player

club may offer salary arbitration if Rodriguez voids contract 2007-09, but club may not offer salary arbitration after 2010

2008-2010 financial obligations (eliminated if Rodriguez voids):

NY: $50,695,500 (08:$15.884M, 09:$16.8985M, 10:$17.913M)

Texas: $21,304,500 (08:$8.116M, 09:$7.1015M, 10:$6.087M)after 1 year (12/01), Rodriguez agreed to defer $45M in salary to 2011-20 at 3% (later reduced)

waived no-trade clause 2/04, allowing trade to Yankees

with 7 years/$183M remaining on contract:

Texas agreed to pay remaining $4M in signing bonus & $67M of remaining $179M in salary

NY agreed to pay $112M of the remaining $179M in salary

For further details on 2001-10 contract, click here.

award bonuses:

$50,000 for finishing 6th-10th in MVP vote

$0.1M each for making All Star team, receiving most All Star votes, Silver Slugger, making post-season AP, Baseball America or Sporting News All Star team, being named player of the year by AP, Baseball America or Sporting News

$0.15M each for LCS or LDS MVP

$0.2M for WS MVP or finishing 2nd-5th in MVP vote

$0.5M for MVP ($1M for second MVP, $1.5M for subsequent MVPs) (received $0.5M for 2003 AL MVP, $1M for 2005 AL MVP)

4 years/$10.7M (1997-2000) (Seattle)

97:$1.0625M, 98:$2.1262M, 99:$3.1125M, 00:$4.3625M

3 years/$1.3M (1994-96)

signed Major League contract with Seattle 8/93

$1M signing bonus

94:$433,333, 95:$433,333, 96:$433,333

drafted 1993 (1-1) (Westminster Christian HS, Miami)

agent: Scott Boras

ML service: 15.011

[Pedro Cerrano]

For both the Yankees and Rangers, the worst contract would have to go to Alex Rodriguez.

Would the Yankees even undo A-Rod's contract if they were allowed to and make him an UFA?

[Crazysilver03]

Would the Yankees even undo A-Rod's contract if they were allowed to and make him an UFA?

They couldn't make him an UFA since that doesn't exist in baseball.

[Pedro Cerrano]

They couldn't make him an UFA since that doesn't exist in baseball.

Meh, NBA on the brain. What do you think though?